Wireless communication with a medical implant

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/334,196, filed Dec. 12, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,285,387, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

0002This invention relates to medical implants, and more particularly to communication with a medical implant.

BACKGROUND

0003Among the known medical implants are those that either receive information from a transmitter outside the body or transmit information to a receiver located outside the body. Such communication is most conveniently carried out by causing electromagnetic waves to propagate between an intra-corporal medical implant and an extra-corporal base station.

0004A difficulty with the use of electromagnetic waves arises from their tendency to be attenuated when traveling within the human body. Although attenuation decreases with increasing wavelengths, the use of longer wavelengths typically requires the use of large antennas.

0005In 1999, the United States Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) allocated the Medical Implant Communication Service (“MICS”) band, which extends between 402 MHz and 405 MHz, as available for use by medical implants. Although the MICS band represents an attempt at compromise, it is still the case that body tissues significantly attenuate electromagnetic waves propagating at MICS frequencies. As a result, the distance between the base station and the implant must be small. In fact, in many applications, the base station's receiving antenna is placed on or within inches of the skin.

0006The limited range of known medical implant communication systems poses few problems when one wishes to establish communication with an implant infrequently. For example, if one only needed to communicate with an implant during a monthly clinical appointment, it would not be inconvenient to have to hold a receiver next to the skin for short periods.

0007However, in some applications, one would like to communicate periodically or intermittently with an implant over an extended period. For example, one might need to monitor a measured value at frequent times or may need to cause an implant to release a drug at certain times or in response to certain conditions.

0008Under the foregoing conditions, it would be convenient to establish communication between an implant and a base station within the same room as a patient, but in some unknown and changing direction and distance relative to the patient.

0009In principle, one could extend the communication range of an implant by transmitting with more power. One difficulty that arises, however, is that the FCC imposes a limit on the amount of power that can be transmitted. Another difficulty that arises is that the implant's power supply is finite, and high power transmission is apt to drain it more quickly.

0010An exemplary telemetry apparatus for an implantable medical device is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,203 (Von Arx).

0011Antennas for implantable medical devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,701 (Amundson et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,149,578 (Edvardsson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,019 (Sun et al.), and U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0154428 (Bruinsma).

SUMMARY

0012The invention is based on the recognition that a non-omnidirectional antenna on a medical implant will interact with the patient's body in such a way as to yield a nearly omnidirectional radiation pattern.

0013In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for providing transdermal wireless communication. The apparatus includes medical implant circuitry, a transceiver coupled to the medical implant circuitry, a first metal surface having an end portion and a base portion, a second metal surface parallel to the first metal surface and connected to the first metal surface by a conductor, and separated from the first metal surface by a dielectric layer, a first radiating element tuned to a first frequency and disposed within the dielectric layer between the first metal surface and second metal surface. The first radiating element has a first reactive portion at a first end thereof, a second reactive portion at a second end thereof, and a first radiating strip extending between the first reactive portion and the second reactive portion. The apparatus further includes a feed structure in electrical communication with the transceiver and the first radiating strip.

0014In some embodiments, the first reactive portion includes a first capacitive structure, and the second reactive portion includes a second capacitive structure.

0015In other embodiments, the first reactive portion includes a first conductive planar portion having a dimension in excess of a width of the first radiating strip, and the second reactive portion includes a second conductive planar portion having a dimension in excess of the width of the first radiating strip.

0016Alternative embodiments include those in which the first reactive portion includes an inductive structure, and those in which the first reactive portion includes a first conducting strip disposed to follow a first serpentine path, and the second reactive portion includes a second conducting strip disposed to follow a second serpentine path, as well as those in which the first reactive portion of the first radiating element includes an inductive structure and the second reactive portion includes a capacitive structure.

0017Yet other embodiments include those in which the feed structure is separated from the first radiating strip by a dielectric, and those in which the feed structure is capacitively coupled to the first radiating strip.

0018Other embodiments include a second radiating element tuned to a second frequency and disposed between the first reactive portion of the first radiating element and the second reactive portion of the first radiating element. In some such embodiments, the feed structure can provide a signal of the first frequency and a signal of the second frequency to both the first radiating element and the second radiating element. In other such embodiments, the feed structure is capacitively coupled to both the first radiating element and the second radiating element. In yet other such embodiments, the second radiating element is tuned to a frequency between approximately 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

0019Yet other embodiments include those in which a planar surface forms the second metal surface. In some such embodiments, the planar surface includes a surface of a housing.

0020Other embodiments include those in which the second metal surface includes a planar surface of a housing.

0021In another embodiment, the end portion of the first metal surface is disposed over the first reactive portion of the first radiating element and the base portion of the first metal surface is disposed over the second reactive portion of the first radiating element.

0022Other embodiments include those in which the first radiating element defines a region at which an electric field supported by the first radiating element has its maximum amplitude, and in which at least one of the end portion and base portion is disposed over the defined region, those in which at least one of the end portion and base portion is disposed over a region at which a gradient vector of electric field amplitude reverses direction, those in which at least one of the end portion and base portion is disposed to intercept electric field lines in a region at which an electric field supported by the first radiating element reaches its maximum amplitude, and those in which at least one of the end portion and base portion is disposed to block a selected portion of an electric field supported by the first radiating element, with examples of the selected portion of the electric field including a portion having an amplitude in excess of a threshold, and a portion having a gradient vector that reverses direction.

0023Additional embodiments include those in which the first radiating element is tuned to a first frequency within the MICS band, and those in which the first radiating element is tuned to a first frequency between 400 MHz and 405 MHz.

0024At least one embodiment of the apparatus further includes a neck extending between the end portion and the base portion.

0025Other embodiments of the apparatus include those in which at least one of the first metal surface and the second metal surface includes a planar surface, those in which the first and second metal surfaces include grounded surfaces, and those in which the first and second metal surfaces include ground planes.

0026In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for providing transdermal wireless communication in a selected direction, the apparatus including medical implant circuitry; a transceiver coupled to the medical implant circuitry; and a first metal surface disposed in a plane perpendicular to the selected direction. The first metal surface has an end portion, and a base portion. The apparatus further includes a first planar radiating element tuned to a first frequency and disposed on a dielectric layer above the first metal surface, the first planar radiating element having a first reactive portion at a first end thereof, a second reactive portion at a second end thereof, and a first planar radiating strip extending between the first reactive portion and the second reactive portion; and a feed structure in electrical communication with the transceiver and the first planar radiating strip for providing the carrier signal to the first planar radiating strip.

0027In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a neck extending between the end portion and the base portion.

0028In yet another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for providing wireless communication across the skin of a patient, the apparatus including: medical implant circuitry; a transceiver coupled to the medical implant circuitry; a feed configured to receive a signal from the transceiver; a planar radiating element coupled to the feed; and a field stop disposed to block radiation from selected portions of an electric field distribution supported by the planar radiating element.

0029Another aspect of the invention is a method for providing transdermal communication, the method including causing a current on an antenna implanted inside a patient, the antenna supporting an electromagnetic field having a near-field component and a far-field component; shielding the near-field component, thereby trapping energy contained in the near-field component and reducing the extent to which the energy in the near-field component interacts with the patient; and allowing the propagation of the far-field component through the skin of the patient.

0030Practices of the method include those in which shielding the near-field component includes placing a conductive plane between a reactive portion of the antenna and the skin, those in which shielding the near-field component includes placing a conductive plane over a first end of the antenna and a second end of the antenna, and those that further include selecting the antenna to be a radiating strip.

0031Another aspect of the invention is a method of providing wireless communication between a medical implant and a base station across the skin of a patient in the presence of a mismatch between the permittivity of the patient's skin layer and the permittivity of a medium surrounding the patient. Such a method includes communicating with a transceiver of a medical implant that has been implanted under the skin of a patient; causing an antenna on the medical implant to launch an electromagnetic wave carrying energy, the energy having a first portion traveling in a first direction and a second portion traveling in a direction other than the first direction, the first and second portions having different magnitudes, wherein a portion of the first portion enters a layer of the patient and causes an endoperipheral wave that propagates within the peripheral layer, and wherein as the endoperipheral wave propagates within the peripheral layer, a portion of the energy carried by the endoperipheral wave exits the endoperipheral layer and enters a surrounding medium, the ratio of the portion of the energy that exits the skin layer being dependent on the extent of the mismatch between the permittivity of the endoperipheral layer and the permittivity of the surrounding medium.

0032Yet another aspect of the invention features a method of providing wireless communication between a medical implant in a patient and a base station. Such a method includes causing an antenna on the medical implant to launch a wave having a first portion in a first direction and a second portion in a second direction, the first and second portions having differing magnitudes, wherein a portion of the first portion enters a biological waveguide defined by a constituent of the body of the patient, the biological waveguide having a first permittivity that differs from the permittivity of the medium surrounding the base station; whereby the wave launched into the biological waveguide becomes a guided wave having an energy, and wherein as the guided wave propagates in the biological waveguide, a portion of the energy escapes the biological waveguide and enters the medium surrounding the base station; and wherein the ratio of energy escaping the biological waveguide to the energy remaining in the biological waveguide depends on the ratio between the permittivity of the biological waveguide and the permittivity of the medium surrounding the base station.

0033In one practice, the biological waveguide includes a portion of the skin.

0034Another aspect of the invention features a method of determining a preferred patient orientation for establishing communication between a medical implant inside a patient and a base station outside the patient. Such a method includes, following the healing of an incision caused by implantation of a medical implant inside a patient, determining an angle between an implant axis of the implant and a patient axis of the patient; on the basis of the angle, determining an optimal orientation of the patient relative to the base station for establishing wireless communication between the medical implant and the base station; and providing, to the patient, information representative of the optimal orientation.

0035In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for providing energy to first and second antennas. The apparatus includes a first section of a microstrip transmission line, the first section extending from a feedpoint along an axis; a first load for coupling to the first antenna, the first load being connected to a distal end of the first section; a second section of microstrip transmission line, the second section extending along the axis and having a proximal end connected to the first pair of microstrip transmission line stubs; and a second load connected to a distal end of the second section for coupling to the second antenna; wherein the lengths of the first and second sections are selected to cause an electromagnetic wave having a first frequency to encounter an impedance mismatch at the first load and an impedance match at the second load, and to cause an electromagnetic wave having a second frequency to encounter an impedance mismatch at the second load and an impedance match at the first load.

0036In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for providing energy to first and second antennas. The apparatus includes a first section of a microstrip transmission line, the first section extending from a feedpoint along an axis; a first load for coupling to the first antenna, the first load being connected to a distal end of the first section; a second section of microstrip transmission line extending from the feedpoint and along a direction parallel to and offset from the axis; and a second load for coupling to the second antenna, the second section being connected to a distal end of the second section; wherein the lengths of the first and second sections are selected to cause an electromagnetic wave having a first frequency to encounter an impedance mismatch at the first load and an impedance match at the second load, and to cause an electromagnetic wave having a second frequency to encounter an impedance mismatch at the second load and an impedance match at the first load.

0037In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a third section of microstrip transmission line extending from the feedpoint and along a direction parallel to and offset from the axis and offset from the second section, and a third load for coupling to the second antenna, the third section being connected to a distal end of the third section; wherein the lengths of the first, second, and third sections are selected to cause an electromagnetic wave having a first frequency to encounter an impedance mismatch at the first load and an impedance match at the second and third loads, and to cause an electromagnetic wave having a second frequency to encounter an impedance match at the first load and an impedance mismatch at the second and third loads.

0038The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings, in which:

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a medical implant in communication with a base station;

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the medical implant of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in more detail;

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram of the wireless communication system of the medical implant of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>;

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart of a communication protocol carried out by the base station of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flow chart of a communication protocol carried out by the wireless communication system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0044<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows the dissipation of energy associated with a conventional omnidirectional antenna;

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows the propagation of endodermal waves associated with the antenna associated with the wireless communication system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a transverse cross section of the medical implant shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>;

0047<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is an exploded isometric view of the antenna system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>;

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a detailed view of the radiating archipelago of the antenna shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>;

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a detailed view of the top ground plane of the antenna shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>;

0050<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is an alternative to the radiating archipelago shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, in which the reactive portions provide an inductance rather than a capacitance;

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> shows an alternative to the radiating archipelago of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>;

0052<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows details of the feed structure shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>;

0053<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15A and 15B</figref> show matching circuits from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> shows an antenna feed thru for feeding the antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>;

0055<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> shows a process for forming a dielectric layer on the antenna system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>;

0056<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> shows a structure for providing capacitive coupling between an antenna and a feed;

0057<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> shows an alternate embodiment of the radiating archipelago of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>;

0058<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 21</figref> show additional embodiments of a feed structure for the antenna system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>;

0059<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref> show representative three-dimensional patterns for the antenna system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>;

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24 and 25</figref> show representative slices through the three-dimensional patterns shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>; and

0061<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26 and 27</figref> show antenna gain for antennas that have been implanted in a piece of meat.

0062Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a medical implant <b>10</b>, sometimes referred to as an “implantable medical device,” in a patient <b>12</b>. The medical implant <b>10</b> is one that either performs actions in response to instructions, transmits data, or both. For example, the medical implant <b>10</b> could be one that releases drugs in response to a stimulus. An example of an implant for controlled release or exposure of the contents of an implanted reservoir is described in U.S. Patent Pub. 2004/0121486 (Uhland et al.), entitled “Controlled Release Device and Method Using Electrothermal Ablation,” the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The medical implant <b>10</b> could be one that performs physiological measurements, such as measuring glucose levels, cardiac signals, or blood pressure levels. One implant for measuring glucose is that disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub. 2005/0096587 (Santini), entitled “Medical Device for Sensing Glucose,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

0064As used herein, the term “medical implant” refers to active implantable medical devices. An “active implantable medical device” is a medical device that uses electricity or other energy, and is partly or totally inserted into a human or animal body or a natural orifice by means of a surgical or medical procedure, and is typically expected to remain there for several days, weeks, months, or years after the procedure is completed. The term “medical device” refers to a manufactured product that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or monitor human or animal disease or injuries, or to investigate, replace, modify, or maintain anatomical structures or physiological functions. Manufactured products that achieve results by pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic means are not medical devices. However, the results achieved by medical devices may be assisted by these means. Representative examples of medical implants suitable for use in/with the present antenna devices and telemetry methods include pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, nerve and muscle stimulators, deep brain stimulators, drug delivery devices (e.g., drug pumps), cardiomyostimulators, cochlear implants, artificial organs (e.g., artificial hearts), biological sensors, and cardiac and other physiologic monitors. The medical implant may provide of a combination of these functionalities. In one embodiment, the medical implant comprises a multi-reservoir containment device for the controlled in vivo exposure or release of reservoir contents, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,762 (Santini et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,666 (Santini et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,838 (Santini et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,442 (Sheppard et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0121486 (Uhland et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0096587 (Santini et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0267440 (Herman et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0015494 (Santini et al.), the contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference.

0065It is generally useful to provide such medical implants <b>10</b> with a wireless link to a base station <b>14</b> located near the patient <b>12</b>. As a matter of convenience, it is useful for the wireless link to be such that the patient <b>12</b> may stray a limited distance from the base station <b>14</b> without interrupting communication. This would enable the wireless link to be used unobtrusively. For example, if the range of the wireless link is on the order of the size of a typical household room, such as a bedroom, or a typical hospital room, and if radiation exits the patient <b>12</b> omnidirectionally, it is possible for the patient <b>12</b> to be anywhere within the room without disrupting wireless communication between the implant <b>10</b> and the base station <b>14</b>.

0066As used herein, terms such as “omnidirectional” and “omnidirectionally” are used to describe receiving or sending radio waves equally well in all directions in a principal plane of an antenna. The term “equally well” is not intended to imply strict and unvarying equality but is intended to encompass minor deviations from equality.

0067<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the medical implant <b>10</b> in more detail. The medical implant <b>10</b> features a generally elliptical housing <b>15</b> having a major axis <b>16</b>. The housing <b>15</b> is typically a biocompatible metal, such as titanium or titanium alloy shell, with the metal forming the shell having a wall thickness of about 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the overall thickness of the housing <b>15</b> is 8.2 mm. In other embodiments, the overall thickness of the housing <b>15</b> is 10-11 mm. An elliptical locking ring <b>18</b> having similar transverse dimensions as the housing <b>15</b> holds an RF transparent cover or dielectric shield <b>20</b> in place above an antenna structure (not shown) connected to a transceiver (not shown). The cover <b>20</b> functions to protect the antenna structure from contact with bodily fluids and/or tissues. The locking ring <b>18</b>, like the housing <b>15</b>, is typically a biocompatible metal, such as titanium. A suitable material for an RF-transparent cover <b>20</b> or dielectric shield is non-conducting material, such as polyethylene, having a thickness of about 0.4 mm. Alternately, one could fill the space with a biocompatible epoxy, which would then be the cover <b>20</b>.

0068When implanted, orientation of the major axis <b>16</b> in a direction parallel to the patient's spine results in an omnidirectional pattern in a plane transverse to the patient's spine. This configuration is thus preferable for signal transmission. However, it may be more comfortable for the patient <b>12</b> if the surgeon were to orient the major axis <b>16</b> inside the patient <b>12</b> in a direction perpendicular to the patient's spine.

0069In practice, once the device is implanted, it may shift to another orientation. Thus, as a practical matter it may be difficult to precisely control the orientation of the medical implant <b>10</b>. It is therefore desirable that the overall operation of the communication system be relatively independent of the implant's orientation.

0070Although the implant <b>10</b> may shift its orientation after surgery, one can compensate for any such shift. For example, once the incision has healed, it is possible to determine the orientation of the implant <b>10</b>. This can be achieved, for example, by X-ray inspection, or by rotating the receiving antenna to identify a radiation maximum. If the implant <b>10</b> is sufficiently close to the skin, the orientation can be determined by feeling the implant <b>10</b> through the skin. In either case, one can then determine an optimal orientation of the implant <b>10</b> relative to the base station <b>14</b> for establishing communication with the base station <b>14</b>. Information representative of this optimal orientation can then be made available for the patient's use in guiding his activities, or for optimally arranging a patient's furnishings, such as the bed and the base station <b>14</b>, to maximize likelihood of establishing and maintaining such communication while the patient is asleep.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram of the medical implant <b>10</b> showing a transceiver <b>22</b> having MICS circuitry <b>24</b> for communication in the MICS band, and wake-up circuitry <b>26</b> for providing a wake up signal to the MICS circuitry <b>24</b>. Both the MICS circuitry <b>24</b> and the wake up circuitry <b>26</b> are in communication, through matching circuits <b>27</b>, <b>29</b>A, <b>29</b>B, with a dual band antenna <b>28</b> as described in more detail in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>. A controller <b>30</b> provides control over both the MICS circuitry <b>24</b> and the wake-up circuitry <b>26</b>. Implant circuitry <b>32</b> controls the functions of an implant device <b>33</b>. A suitable transceiver <b>22</b> is the ZL70101 manufactured by Zarlink Semiconductor of Ottawa, Ontario, which is in widespread commercial use in the U.S. and other countries.

0072The base station <b>14</b> and transceiver <b>22</b> communicate through two frequency bands: a lower frequency band, such as the MICS band, which extends from 402-405 MHz, and a higher frequency band having frequencies on the order of 2.45 GHz. The MICS band is used primarily for data communication between the transceiver <b>22</b> and the base station <b>14</b>, whereas the higher frequency band is used to provide a wake-up signal to the transceiver <b>22</b>, but it is not necessary that the transceiver <b>22</b> transmit back to the base station <b>14</b> at the 2.45 GHz frequency.

0073<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> summarizes a procedure used by the base station <b>14</b> to establish communication with a medical implant <b>10</b>. The base station <b>14</b> transmits a wake up signal at 2.45 GHz (step <b>34</b>) and then listens for a response on a MICS frequency (step <b>36</b>). This wake up signal includes information identifying the particular MICS frequencies to be used. If no response is forthcoming, the base station <b>14</b> retransmits the wake up signal (step <b>34</b>). If the base station <b>14</b> detects a response from the implant, it then establishes communication in the MICS band with the implant <b>10</b> (step <b>38</b>).

0074Meanwhile, the transceiver <b>22</b> on the implant <b>10</b> carries out a procedure such as that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

0075According to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the wake-up circuitry <b>26</b> of the implant's transceiver <b>22</b> periodically listens for a wake up signal at 2.45 GHz (step <b>40</b>). If no signal is detected (step <b>42</b>), the controller <b>30</b> instructs the wake up circuitry <b>26</b> to wait for some pre-selected interval (step <b>44</b>) and repeats this process (step <b>40</b>). Otherwise, if the transceiver <b>22</b> detects a wake up signal (step <b>42</b>), it sends a signal to wake up the MICS circuitry <b>24</b> (step <b>46</b>) which then establishes communication with the base station <b>14</b> (step <b>48</b>). In one embodiment, the waiting time is selected to be approximately one minute. In another embodiment, the controller <b>30</b> causes the wake-up circuitry <b>26</b> to listen for the base station <b>14</b> at a particular time. In yet another embodiment, the controller <b>30</b> causes the wake-up circuitry <b>26</b> to listen for the base station <b>14</b> at variable time intervals.

0076The communication protocol described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> is particularly advantageous because the 2.45 GHz signal can be repeatedly broadcast by the base station <b>14</b> at relatively high power, and because the wake-up circuitry <b>26</b> on the medical implant does not have to consume power by transmitting. Moreover, there is no need to power up the MICS circuitry <b>24</b> unless MICS communication is actually required. In addition, since the wake-up signal identifies the portion of the MICS band to be used, there is no need for the MICS circuitry <b>24</b> to consume energy scanning across the MICS band to search for a signal.

0077A difficulty that arises when attempting to communicate with an implanted transceiver <b>22</b> is that the tissues that make up the human body generally have complex permittivity. As is well-known in the art, the imaginary term of a complex permittivity results in evanescent waves. Evanescent waves are essentially waves that die away, or decay, with distance from their sources. Such waves cannot be used to carry data over any meaningful distance since they themselves cannot travel any meaningful distance.

0078Conventional antennas used in medical implants are omnidirectional. However, even though such antennas are omnidirectional, the system formed by the union of the antenna and the human body does not radiate omnidirectionally in the space.

0079<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a prior art implant <b>50</b> located near the ventral surface <b>52</b> (i.e., the belly or stomach) of a patient <b>12</b>. The implant <b>50</b> uses a conventional antenna that radiates omnidirectionally in a transverse plane. However, the power that actually leaves the patient's body in a particular direction depends on the path length that the wave must traverse within the body, and the permittivities that the wave encounters before reaching free space. In particular, a wave <b>54</b> traveling in a ventral direction experiences little attenuation because the path length before reaching free space is relatively short. In contrast, a wave <b>56</b> traveling in the dorsal direction (i.e., toward the spine or back) travels much further within the body, and therefore experiences more significant attenuation.

0080In contrast to the omnidirectional antenna shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, an antenna <b>28</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, and as disclosed herein, provides a beam core <b>58</b> directed radially outward, away from the patient's core, and a beam periphery <b>60</b> directed to cause energy to enter the patient's peripheral layer <b>62</b>. As used herein, “peripheral layer” refers to the outermost layers of the body. Accordingly, “peripheral layer” may include the dermal layer and other tissues found in the outermost layers, such as subcutaneous fats, as well as the integumentary layer. The peripheral layer <b>62</b> has a permittivity that differs from both the free space permittivity and from the permittivity of the interior <b>64</b> of the patient's body. As such, it functions in the manner of a leaky waveguide.

0081While not wishing to be bound by any particular physical mechanism, the antenna <b>28</b> is believed to launch an electromagnetic wave within the peripheral layer <b>62</b>. Since the wave propagates in the peripheral layer <b>62</b>, it will be referred to herein as an “endoperipheral wave.” As it propagates, the endoperipheral wave encounters two discontinuities in permittivity that define the inner and outer boundaries of the peripheral layer <b>62</b>. When the endoperipheral wave is incident on the outer boundary, a portion of its energy leaks across the boundary and propagates in free space. The remaining portion is reflected back and continues to propagate endoperipherally.

0082The net effect of the foregoing arrangement as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a reduction in the dramatically different path lengths shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. As a result, the combination of the antenna <b>28</b> and the human body shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> radiates in a more omnidirectional manner than the combination shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>.

0083The conventional antenna shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an omnidirectional antenna. One might have expected that such an omnidirectional antenna in a medical implant <b>10</b> would provide an omnidirectional radiation pattern. But this is not the case.

0084In contrast, the antenna <b>28</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is not an omnidirectional antenna; it is a directional antenna. Thus one might have expected that a directional antenna in a medical implant <b>10</b> would fail to achieve a nearly omnidirectional pattern.

0085Contrary to conventional expectation, this is not the case. Instead, the directional antenna <b>28</b> interacts in an unexpected way with the patient's anatomy so that even though the antenna <b>28</b> itself is directional, the synergy between the directional antenna <b>28</b> and the wave propagation properties of the patient's anatomy results in a nearly omnidirectional radiation pattern for the overall system formed by the antenna <b>28</b> and the patient <b>12</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>.

0086<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a transverse cross section of a medical implant <b>10</b> having an antenna <b>28</b> for launching electromagnetic waves in the manner described above. The medical implant <b>10</b> has a housing <b>15</b> on which is disposed a bottom ground plane <b>66</b> separated from a top ground plane <b>68</b> by a conducting connector <b>70</b>. The top ground plane <b>68</b> and the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> may also be referred to as “field stops,” “shields,” or more generally, as a “metal surfaces,” which may or may not be planar, and which may or may not be grounded.

0087Within the implant housing <b>15</b> is the transceiver <b>22</b>, which transmits information from the body to a base station <b>14</b> outside the body or receives information from a base station <b>14</b> outside the body. The transceiver <b>22</b> communicates with implant circuitry <b>32</b> that controls operation of an implant device <b>33</b> that interacts with the body. One example of an implant device <b>33</b> is a glucose sensor as disclosed by U.S. Patent Pub. 2005/0096587 (Santini), referred to above, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other examples of implant devices <b>33</b> include those that perform physiological measurements and those for releasing various drugs. Between the top ground plane <b>68</b> and the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> is a radiating archipelago <b>72</b> comprising planar, non-wire radiating structures. A feed structure <b>74</b> disposed between the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> and the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> is connected to the transceiver <b>22</b> disposed within the housing <b>15</b>. The feed structure <b>74</b>, top and bottom ground planes <b>66</b>, <b>68</b>, radiating archipelago <b>72</b>, and the connector <b>70</b> and related structures form the antenna <b>28</b>.

0088Transceiver <b>22</b>, implant circuitry <b>32</b>, and implant device <b>33</b> are sealed within the housing <b>15</b>. Signals are passed into and out of the housing <b>15</b> between transceiver <b>22</b> and antenna <b>28</b> using a feed-through structure <b>160</b>, which is described in more detail in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>.

0089The top and bottom ground planes <b>68</b>, <b>66</b> are separated by a dielectric material, best seen in the exploded view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, a first dielectric layer <b>76</b> separates the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> from the feed structure <b>74</b>. A second dielectric layer <b>78</b> separates the feed structure <b>74</b> from the radiating archipelago <b>72</b>. A third dielectric layer <b>80</b> separates the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> from the top ground plane <b>68</b>. A bottom dielectric cover <b>77</b> isolates the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> from contact with any adjacent conducting media. Similarly, a top dielectric cover <b>79</b> isolates the top ground plane <b>68</b> from any adjacent conducting media. The top and bottom ground planes <b>68</b>, <b>66</b> are connected by one or more connectors <b>70</b>, not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, that pass through the various dielectric layers. The connectors <b>70</b> can typically be vias or metal pins. As a result, the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> is capacitively coupled to the feed structure <b>74</b> and to the top ground plane <b>68</b>.

0090The first dielectric layer <b>76</b> is the thickest of the three. The second and third dielectric layers <b>78</b>, <b>80</b> are of approximately equal thickness and significantly thinner than the first dielectric layer <b>76</b>. The exact thicknesses of each layer depend on the properties of the dielectric and on the wavelengths to be used by the antenna <b>28</b>. In one embodiment, the first dielectric layer <b>76</b> has a thickness of 1.27 mm and the second and third dielectric layers <b>78</b>, <b>80</b> each have a thickness of 0.1 mm.

0091The thicknesses of the dielectric layers <b>76</b>, <b>78</b>, <b>80</b> required for optimal radiation characteristics are particularly sensitive to the dielectric's permittivity. In practice, the permittivity of a dielectric varies about some nominal permittivity value from one lot or batch of material from which a dielectric layer is formed to the next lot or batch from which a dielectric layer is formed. Although the variations about the nominal value are small, and may be unimportant in many applications, in the present application such errors are likely to make a significant difference in the performance of the antenna <b>28</b>.

0092A suitable dielectric material is a biocompatible material having a high dielectric constant, which tends to reduce the overall dimensions of the antenna. In one embodiment, the dielectric material is alumina having a relative permittivity of 9.5±10% such as that supplied by DuPont under trade designation QM44. However, other dielectrics with relative permittivities between 9 and 10±10% (or higher) are also suitable.

0093In an effort to promote uniformity in manufacture, it is useful to inspect data provided by the manufacturer concerning the measured permittivity of a particular lot of dielectric. In one practice of manufacturing the antenna <b>28</b>, one receives, from a supplier of dielectric material used to form dielectric layers <b>76</b>, <b>78</b>, <b>80</b>, a measured value of permittivity associated with a particular lot of dielectric material. This measured actual permittivity is often different from a nominal permittivity. This measured permittivity is then used to determine the thickness of a layer of dielectric required to cause the antenna <b>28</b> to have a particular capacitance.

0094For example, in some manufacturing processes, particularly planar manufacturing processes, the dielectric layers <b>76</b>, <b>86</b>, <b>80</b> are formed by repeatedly painting and curing individual laminas of dielectric material to build up a layer of dielectric <b>76</b>, <b>86</b>, <b>80</b> having the desired thickness. In such cases, after having obtained the measured permittivity for a particular lot of dielectric, one can determine the correct number of laminas required to build up a dielectric layer <b>76</b>, <b>86</b>, <b>80</b> having the desired thickness. One can then provide the manufacturing facility with instructions concerning the correct number of laminas.

0095Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>, a process for attaining a desired capacitance includes receiving, from the manufacturer, a lot or batch of particular dielectric (step <b>174</b>) and a measured value of a permittivity associated with that lot.

0096The process then includes retrieving the desired capacitance (step <b>178</b>) and the thickness “d” of a typical lamina of cured dielectric that would be laid down by a particular manufacturing process (step <b>180</b>). In a typical screen-printing process, this thickness d would correspond to the screen thickness. A value of n, the number of laminas having thickness d required to attain capacitance C is then obtained, either by calculation or by use of a look-up table (step <b>182</b>). The resulting value, n, of the number of laminas is then output (step <b>184</b>) and provided to a manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility then forms the requisite number of laminas to build up a layer of thickness d (step <b>186</b>) and then forms a feed structure on top of the layer <b>76</b> thus formed (step <b>188</b>). A similar process can be used to build up the second layer <b>78</b> and the third layer <b>80</b>.

0097In many practices, the thickness of each lamina is constant. However, in some practices of the manufacturing process, the individual laminas have different thicknesses. In such cases, the individual thicknesses are made to sum to the desired thickness.

0098<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> in detail. The radiating archipelago <b>72</b> is made up of twin MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> that are mirror images of each other.

0099The first MICS radiator <b>82</b> includes a radiative portion <b>86</b> extending between first and second reactive portions <b>88</b>, <b>90</b> at opposite ends thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiative portion <b>86</b> is formed by two generally parallel radiating strips <b>92</b>, <b>94</b> that extend between the first reactive portion <b>88</b> at one end of the first MICS radiator <b>82</b> and the second reactive portion <b>90</b> at the other end of the first MICS radiator <b>82</b>.

0100Similarly, the second MICS radiator <b>84</b> includes a radiative portion <b>96</b> extending between first and second reactive portions <b>98</b>, <b>100</b> at opposite ends thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiative portion <b>96</b> is formed by two generally parallel radiating strips <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> that extend between the first reactive portion <b>98</b> at one end of the second MICS radiator <b>84</b> and the second reactive portion <b>100</b> at the other end of the second MICS radiator <b>84</b>. These radiative strips <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> carry out a function similar to a wire antenna. However, unlike a wire antenna, which is a three-dimensional structure, the radiative strips <b>92</b>, <b>94</b>, <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> are essentially two-dimensional structures that can easily be formed using planar processing techniques.

0101<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows a top ground plane <b>68</b> in more detail. The top ground plane <b>68</b> includes an enlarged base portion <b>106</b> that is connected to the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> by one or more connectors <b>70</b> through a via. Preferably, vias and connectors <b>70</b> are located away from the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b> of the first and second MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. At the opposite end of the top ground plane <b>68</b> is an enlarged end portion <b>108</b> connected to the base portion <b>106</b> by an optional neck <b>110</b>.

0102The neck <b>110</b> is disposed to shield surrounding tissues from stray electric fields generated by the feed structure <b>74</b>. The base portion <b>106</b> is positioned to cover the reactive portions <b>88</b>, <b>98</b> on one end of the twin MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. Similarly, the end portion <b>108</b> is positioned to cover the remaining two reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b> on the opposite end of the twin MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. The particular shapes of the end and base portions <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> are not critical to their overall function.

0103The end portion <b>108</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b> and the two reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b> of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> lie on opposite sides of the third dielectric layer <b>80</b>. As such, they collectively define a first capacitor <b>112</b> between them, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. The base portion <b>106</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b> and the two remaining reactive portions <b>88</b>, <b>98</b> also lie on opposite sides of the third dielectric layer <b>80</b>. As such, they collectively form a second capacitor <b>114</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. Each of these capacitors <b>112</b>, <b>114</b> entraps electric field lines, thus suppressing the tendency of the antenna's near field to heat or to otherwise be dissipated by the human tissue adjacent to the implant <b>10</b>. Instead of being lost as heat or as dielectric losses, the energy in the near field is available to oscillate from one end of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> to the other, preferably at a resonance frequency associated with the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. As a result, this energy can contribute more significantly to far-field radiation.

0104Waves that ultimately reach the far field of the antenna <b>28</b> originate primarily from the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>. Since these radiative portions lie underneath and on opposite sides of the neck <b>110</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b>, there is little to impede wave propagation from these portions. In embodiments that lack any neck, nothing at all impedes wave propagation. As a result, those waves are free to propagate into the far field of the antenna <b>28</b>.

0105As used herein, the “far field” of an antenna, sometimes referred to as the “radiation field,” is used in a manner consistent with the way it is used in the antenna arts. In particular, the “far field” is the region of space that is so remote from the antenna that the electromagnetic field of the antenna, which normally includes an evanescent component and a radiating component, consists primarily of the radiating component.

0106Referring back to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, an antenna <b>28</b> as described herein provides a pattern having a main lobe <b>58</b> that radiates energy in a radial direction away from the patient <b>12</b>. In addition, some of the energy stored in the near field at the ends of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> escapes through the gap between the top and bottom ground planes <b>66</b>, <b>68</b>. This energy is manifested as side lobes <b>60</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. It is these side lobes <b>60</b> that are believed to provide the energy for launching the endodermal wave.

0107An antenna <b>28</b> as described above has a relatively low radiation efficiency, i.e. only a small portion of energy delivered to the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b> is actually radiated. The bulk of the energy remains stored in the near field of the antenna <b>28</b> rather than being radiated away.

0108In operation, the transceiver <b>22</b> provides energy through a feed point <b>116</b>, best seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 14</figref>. The energy propagates along the feed structure <b>74</b> and couples capacitively to the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>. Once on the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>, the energy travels towards the reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>. A small portion of that energy radiates from the relatively inefficient radiating strips <b>92</b>, <b>94</b>, <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> of the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>. The bulk of the energy reaches the reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b> and reflects back to travel again along the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>, where another small portion radiates away. The remainder then proceeds to the opposite reactive portion <b>88</b>, <b>98</b>, which then reflects it back along the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>.

0109The reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>98</b> and radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b> thus cooperate to cause energy to oscillate back and forth between the reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>98</b>. At each oscillation, a small portion of that energy radiates away as it traverses the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>. Thus, even if the radiation efficiency of each radiative portion <b>86</b>, <b>96</b> is relatively low, the minimal energy radiated with each oscillation accumulates and eventually provides sufficient power to communicate with a base station <b>14</b> located at some distance away. For example it is believed that this arrangement will permit communication within the same room approximately five meters away.

0110The operation of the antenna <b>28</b> thus provides another unexpected result. Ordinarily, one would expect to increase range by increasing efficiency, i.e., by providing an antenna <b>28</b> that has high radiation resistance. This would translate into a greater fraction of energy being radiated in the far field of the antenna <b>28</b>. While this may be the desirable solution in free space, the limited space within the human body makes it difficult to implant a large enough antenna to have a high radiation resistance in the MICS band. However, implanting a small antenna with low radiation resistance causes more energy to be retained in the antenna's near field. Since the antenna near field lies within human tissue, this results in dielectric losses.

0111To overcome the foregoing disadvantage of using an electrically small antenna in a lossy dielectric medium, the reactive portions <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>98</b> are shielded by the top ground plane <b>68</b>. The shielding constrains near fields from spilling out into the surrounding tissue. As a result, dielectric loss is reduced.

0112Instead of adopting the conventional solution, the antenna <b>28</b> described herein is a highly inefficient antenna, i.e., one with a low radiation resistance. In such a highly inefficient antenna, only an insignificant fraction of energy provided to the antenna actually radiates into the far field. Nevertheless, by entrapping the bulk of the energy and bleeding it into the far field a little bit at a time through relatively inefficient radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>, the antenna <b>28</b> avoids losses arising from interaction between its near field and surrounding human tissue. This leads to the unexpected result of an inefficient antenna <b>28</b> that nevertheless manages to provide long range wireless communication between a medical implant <b>10</b> and a base station as much as 5 meters away.

0113In operation, the antenna <b>28</b> is analogous to a laser oscillator, in which light oscillates between two mirrors with only a small portion of the light escaping through a half-silvered mirror with each oscillation.

0114The antenna <b>28</b> can be viewed as an RLC circuit in which the resonant frequency, which is the reciprocal of the square root of the product of the effective inductance and capacitance, is within the desired frequency band of operation, i.e. the MICS band. The relatively small radiation resistance, as well as the inductance, is provided by the radiative portions <b>86</b>, <b>96</b>. The capacitance, which dominates the illustrated configuration, is provided by the two capacitors <b>112</b>, <b>114</b> formed by the interaction between the reactive portions <b>100</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>98</b> of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> and the base and end portions <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b>.

0115In another embodiment, the RLC circuit is dominated by inductance rather than capacitance. In that case, the reactive portions of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> are meander line structures <b>118</b>, <b>120</b> such as those shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>. In this embodiment, the radiating strips <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> are made somewhat wider so that they can provide the necessary capacitance to tune the antenna <b>28</b>.

0116As discussed above, the transceiver <b>22</b>, and hence the antenna <b>28</b>, operates on two frequencies: one in the MICS band and another, in the UHF band, for carrying the wake-up signal. As used herein, “UHF” means one of the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) bands, and specifically, the ISM band that includes frequencies between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. To accommodate the second frequency, an alternative embodiment of the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> features UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> tuned to resonate at 2.45 GHz, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. Like the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>, the UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> are twin radiating elements, each one being an essentially linear structure. The first UHF radiator <b>126</b> has a first reactive portion <b>130</b> and a second reactive portion <b>132</b> connected by a radiative portion <b>138</b> extending between them. Similarly, the second UHF radiator <b>128</b> has a first reactive portion <b>134</b> and a second reactive portion <b>136</b> connected by a radiative portion <b>140</b> extending between them.

0117As used herein, the use of the term “radiative” portion is not intended to imply that the structure can be used only for transmitting electromagnetic waves. As is well known in the art, antennas are subject to reciprocity. Hence, structures used for transmitting waves have the same properties when used for receiving electromagnetic waves.

0118In an alternative embodiment, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, the radiative portions <b>138</b>, <b>140</b> of the first and second UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> are formed into radiative strips like those shown on the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>.

0119As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, in those embodiments that include the optional neck <b>110</b>, the neck <b>110</b> can include a central neck <b>142</b> and two peripheral necks <b>144</b>, <b>146</b>, with each peripheral neck <b>144</b>, <b>146</b> connecting the central neck <b>142</b> to one of the end portion <b>108</b> and base portion <b>106</b>. The peripheral necks <b>144</b>, <b>146</b> are both wider than the central neck <b>142</b>, but not so wide as to interfere with propagation of waves escaping from the radiative portions <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> of the MICS radiators. However, the peripheral neck portions <b>144</b>, <b>146</b> are nevertheless wide enough to form a pair of capacitors with the reactive portions <b>130</b>, <b>132</b>, <b>134</b>, <b>136</b> of the twin UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b>.

0120It is thus apparent that the operation of the UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> is identical to that of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>, with the two peripheral neck portions <b>144</b>, <b>146</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b> playing the roles with respect to the UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> that the end and base portions <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b> played with respect to the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>.

0121In one embodiment, the top ground plane <b>68</b> has: (1) a central neck <b>142</b> having a length of 4 mm and a width of 1.1 mm; and (2) a pair of 5.1 mm wide peripheral necks <b>144</b>, <b>146</b> having lengths of 6.85 mm long and 10.45 mm respectively. The base portion <b>106</b> of the top ground plane <b>68</b> is a semicircular region having a radius of 9 mm. The end portion <b>108</b> is a semicircular region having a radius of 9 mm contiguous with a rectangular region extending 4 mm towards the base portion <b>106</b> and 17.8 mm along a direction perpendicular to the major axis <b>16</b> of the implant <b>10</b>.

0122A bottom ground plane <b>66</b> corresponding to the above top ground plane <b>68</b> is a rectangular region extending 25.2 mm along the major axis <b>16</b> and 18.82 mm perpendicular to the major axis <b>16</b>. Each 18.82 mm side of the rectangular region is contiguous with a semicircular region having a radius of approximately 9.4 mm.

0123Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the feed structure <b>74</b> is an axial transmission line <b>143</b> extending from the feed point <b>116</b> along the major axis <b>16</b>. At the distal tip of the axial transmission line <b>143</b> is a distal load <b>145</b> formed by two short sections <b>147</b>, <b>149</b> of transmission line extending perpendicularly from the axial transmission line <b>143</b> in opposite directions underneath the reactive portions <b>88</b>, <b>98</b> of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. At an intermediate point of the transmission line, under the UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b>, is an intermediate load <b>150</b> formed by an additional pair of transmission line sections <b>152</b>, <b>154</b> extending perpendicularly from the axial transmission lines <b>143</b>.

0124A distal section <b>148</b> of the axial transmission line <b>143</b> extends between the distal load <b>145</b> and the intermediate load <b>150</b>. A proximal section <b>141</b> of the axial transmission line <b>143</b> extends between the intermediate load <b>150</b> and the feed point <b>116</b>. A suitable diplexing feed structure <b>74</b> for the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> whose numerical dimensions have been provided features a distal section <b>148</b> having a length of approximately 16.75 mm, and a proximal section <b>141</b> having a length of approximately 11.24 mm. The axial transmission line <b>143</b>, the intermediate load <b>150</b> and the distal load <b>145</b> cooperate to form a diplexing feed structure <b>74</b>, or diplexer.

0125The use of a diplexing feed structure <b>74</b> makes it possible to use a single coaxial cable instead of a pair of coaxial cables to provide energy to the feed structure <b>74</b>. This is particularly advantageous where the device is one in which space is at a premium, for example in a medical implant <b>10</b>.

0126However, the use of a diplexing feed structure <b>74</b> is by no means mandatory for operation of the antenna <b>28</b>. The antenna <b>28</b> can also be excited by two separate coaxial cables or other transmission lines carrying signals in two different frequency bands.

0127A suitable diplexing feed structure <b>74</b> for the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> whose numerical dimensions have been provided features an axial transmission line <b>143</b> extending 31.5 mm between the feedpoint <b>116</b> and the distal load <b>145</b>. A pair of 1 mm wide transmission line sections <b>152</b>, <b>154</b> extending 3 mm on either side of the axial transmission line <b>142</b> provides the intermediate load <b>150</b>. A pair of transmission line sections <b>147</b>, <b>152</b> 2.5 mm wide extending 1.35 mm on either side of the axial transmission line <b>143</b> provides the distal load <b>144</b>.

0128In another embodiment of the feed structure <b>74</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, an axial transmission line <b>200</b> extends along the axis <b>16</b> of the implant <b>10</b> between the feed point <b>116</b> and a distal load <b>202</b> formed by a pair of transmission line stubs <b>204</b>, <b>206</b> extending perpendicular to the axial transmission line <b>200</b> in opposite directions. The distal load <b>202</b> is disposed to capacitively couple with the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. Also extending from the feed point <b>116</b> are a pair of transmission lines <b>208</b> parallel to and offset from the axial transmission line <b>200</b>. Each of the pair of transmission lines <b>208</b> ends at an intermediate load <b>210</b> that capacitively couples to one of the UHF radiators <b>134</b>, <b>136</b>.

0129In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, an additional load is provided by introducing a tuning stub formed by proximal and distal right-angle bends in the axial transmission line <b>143</b>. These two right-angle bends are connected by a connecting section of transmission line parallel to but offset from the axial transmission line <b>143</b>. The connecting section in one embodiment is 1 mm long and offset by 1.5 mm from the axial transmission line <b>143</b>. The proximal right-angle bend is approximately 23.7 mm from the feedpoint <b>116</b>, and the distal right-angle bend is an additional 1 mm further from the feedpoint <b>116</b>.

0130In operation, with reference for example to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, a wave formed by the superposition of an MICS component and a UHF component originates at the feed point <b>116</b> and propagates along the axial transmission line <b>142</b>. The impedance as seen by the UHF component is such that the distal load <b>145</b> appears as an open or short circuit, whereas the intermediate load <b>150</b> is matched to the UHF radiators <b>134</b>, <b>136</b>. As a result, the UHF component is effectively coupled into the UHF radiators <b>134</b>, <b>136</b> and rejected by the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. Conversely, the impedance as seen by the MICS component is such that the intermediate load <b>150</b> appears as an open or short circuit and the distal load <b>145</b> is matched to the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>. As a result, the MICS component is effectively coupled to the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> and rejected by the UHF radiators <b>134</b>, <b>136</b>.

0131In some embodiments, the impedances are neither those of short circuits nor of open circuits. In these embodiments, the impedances include a finite and non-zero imaginary (i.e., reactive) component. Typically, the reactive component is capacitive; however, for certain configurations the reactive component is inductive.

0132As shown in the exploded view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the feed structure <b>74</b> is disposed in its own layer between the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> and the bottom ground plane <b>66</b>. A disadvantage of this configuration is that it requires an additional metal layer, and thereby complicates manufacturing. In another embodiment, the feed structure <b>74</b> and the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> are on the same dielectric layer. In this embodiment, the feed structure <b>74</b> is directly connected to selected portions of the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> rather than being capacitively coupled to those portions. Such a configuration is less sensitive to errors in manufacture since there is no longer a need to rely on capacitive coupling between the feed structure <b>74</b> and the radiating archipelago <b>72</b>.

0133Placement of the feed structure <b>74</b> and radiating archipelago <b>72</b> on the same layer does not, however, eliminate the possibility of a capacitive coupling between the feed structure <b>74</b> and the radiating archipelago <b>72</b>. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> shows UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> capacitively coupled to the feed point <b>116</b> using planar capacitors <b>127</b> formed by interdigitating conductive traces <b>129</b> connected to the UHF radiators <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> with conductive traces <b>131</b> connected to the feed point <b>116</b>.

0134In one embodiment, the radiating archipelago <b>72</b> extends 15.3 mm from an outermost edge of one outer radiating strip <b>92</b> of one MICS radiator <b>82</b> to an outermost edge of an outer radiating strip <b>102</b> of the other MICS radiator <b>84</b>, and 36.9 mm from the tip of one reactive portion <b>88</b> to the other reactive portion <b>90</b>. Each radiating strip is about 1.5 mm wide and 21.2 mm long. Each pair of radiating strips <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> is separated by a gap of approximately 0.44 mm. Each UHF radiator <b>126</b>, <b>128</b> has a radiative portion <b>138</b> approximately 3.9 mm long and 1 mm wide. Each UHF radiator <b>126</b> has reactive portions <b>130</b>, <b>134</b> at each end, with the reactive portions <b>130</b>, <b>134</b> being formed by a metal strip approximately 2.8 mm long and 1 mm wide extending in a direction perpendicular to the radiative portion <b>138</b>.

0135Thus, in the MICS band, where the free-space wavelengths are on the order of 0.75 meters, the overall electrical length of the MICS radiators <b>82</b>, <b>84</b> amounts to an insignificant fraction of a wavelength.

0136<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref> shows one embodiment of a matching circuit <b>27</b> to match the transceiver <b>22</b> to the antenna <b>28</b>. In the illustrated embodiment, the transceiver <b>22</b> has an input impedance in the UHF band of 2 kilo-ohms, and an input impedance in the MICS band of 500 ohms when transmitting and 20 kilo-ohms when receiving. The antenna <b>28</b> has a 50 ohm input impedance. A coaxial cable <b>156</b> with characteristic impedance of 50 ohms connects the antenna <b>28</b> to the matching circuit <b>27</b>.

0137The illustrated matching circuit <b>27</b> features two paths, one for each band. A first path connects the transceiver <b>22</b> directly to the antenna <b>28</b> by way of coupling capacitor C₁. A second path uses a coupling capacitor C₂and coupling inductor L₂to connect the transceiver <b>22</b> to the antenna <b>28</b> by way of an LC circuit <b>158</b> made up of inductor L₁in parallel with capacitor C₃. This second path is tuned by a variable shunt capacitor C_v.

0138In one embodiment, coupling capacitor C₁has a capacitance of approximately 0.5 picofarads, coupling capacitor C₂has a capacitance of between about 0.5 and 5 picofarads, coupling inductor L₂has a value between 15 nH and 50 nH, and preferably at or near 22 nH, and the variable capacitance C_vhas a capacitance ranging from 5 to 60 picofarads. The LC circuit in this embodiment includes a capacitance C₃of approximately 1 picofarad and an inductance L₁of approximately 3 nanohenries.

0139In another embodiment, components within the chip that houses the transceiver <b>22</b> are incorporated into the matching circuit <b>27</b>. Like the matching circuit of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15A</figref>, the matching circuit <b>27</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15B</figref> features two paths, one for each band. A first path connects the 2.45 GHz receiving port (RX_UHF) of the transceiver <b>22</b> directly to the antenna <b>28</b> using a coupling capacitance C₁in series with a high-pass filter <b>226</b> formed by a capacitance C₂and inductance L₁. A second path uses a stop-band filter <b>224</b> formed by capacitor C₃in parallel with inductor L₂in series with a pi-matching network <b>228</b>. The pi-matching network <b>228</b> is formed by an inductor L₃having one terminal connected to ground by a capacitor C₅internal to the chip housing the transceiver <b>22</b> and another terminal connected to ground by a DC coupling capacitance C₄in series with parallel capacitors C_TXand C_RX, both of which are also internal to the transceiver <b>22</b>. The capacitor C_TX, a transmission port TX-RF of the transceiver <b>22</b> by an amplifier TX and the capacitor C_RXis coupled to a receiving port RX-RF of the transceiver <b>22</b> by an amplifier RX.

0140A feed-through <b>160</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, provides a connection between the coaxial cable <b>156</b> and the antenna <b>28</b>. This allows the circuit components to be sealed within housing <b>15</b> and the antenna <b>28</b> to be placed on an external surface of the housing <b>15</b>. Thus, the RF transparent cover <b>20</b> can be made of simple construction to keep the antenna <b>28</b> clear of body fluids. The location of the feed-through <b>160</b> relative to the matching circuit <b>27</b> is shown schematically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15A and 15B</figref>.

0141The feed-through <b>160</b> includes an annulus <b>162</b> having an outer rim <b>164</b> and an inner rim <b>166</b>. The annulus <b>162</b> is sized so that the outer rim <b>164</b> engages the sides of a hole in the bottom ground plane <b>66</b> at the feed point <b>116</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. A dielectric plug <b>168</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> fills the space defined by the inner rim <b>166</b>. First and second conductors <b>170</b>, <b>172</b> extend through the dielectric plug <b>168</b>. The first conductor <b>170</b> extends to the feed structure <b>74</b> while the second conductor <b>172</b> contacts the bottom ground plane <b>66</b>. In this way, the feed-through <b>160</b> provides electrical contact between the antenna <b>28</b> and the matching circuit <b>27</b>.

0142<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref> show simulated three-dimensional radiation patterns for the antenna at 403.5 MHz (in the MICS band) and at 2.45 GHz respectively. The patterns were computed using the finite-element method as implemented by HFSS software provided by Ansoft Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pa.

0143In both figures, the y-axis corresponds to the major axis <b>16</b> of the housing <b>15</b>, the z-axis corresponds to the direction away from the patient's body, and the −z direction corresponds to a direction into the patient's body. As is apparent from the figures, at each band there exist nulls in the direction of the major axis and an approximately omnidirectional pattern in a plane transverse to the major axis <b>16</b> of the housing <b>15</b>. As is also apparent from the figures, there exists a small amount of loss in the −z direction that arises as a result of dielectric and conductive losses in the layer amount of tissue that is traversed in that direction.

0144<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24 and 25</figref> each show three planar slices through the three-dimensional radiation patterns of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref> respectively, one corresponding to a slice containing the yz plane (φ=90°), another containing the xz plane (φ=0°), and a third containing a plane midway between the xz and yz planes (φ=45°).

0145In an effort to confirm that an antenna as disclosed herein would function as predicted within the MICS band, a link budget was prepared. A constraint imposed on the link budget was that for any direction within 40 degrees of the antenna beam's maximum, the power available at the base station <b>14</b> would be at least −90.1 dBm when the transmitted power was −3 dBm. The link budget assumed a −1 dBm loss in the matching circuit and a −2.7 dBm loss for transmission in a direction of forty degrees off-axis.

0146Transmission across five meters was assumed to result in another −39 dBm loss. A fading margin of −5 dB was assumed in the link budget to account for multipath interference between the antenna and the base station. At the base station <b>14</b>, the receiving antenna was assumed to have a 0 dB gain and a matching circuit loss of −1 dB.

0147An antenna as described herein was implanted beneath a layer of fat in pig meat. An antenna gain in the on-axis direction was then measured at frequencies between 360 MHz and 440 MHz in an anechoic chamber using a first antenna under approximately one inch of fat, and using the first antenna and a second antenna under approximately half an inch of fat. The resulting on-axis gains as a function of frequency are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref>.

0148According to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref>, the on-axis gain at 403.4 MHz was approximately −24 to −25 dB. When this gain was used in the link budget, the power that entered the transceiver <b>22</b> following a −3 dBm transmission in a direction 40 degrees off-axis across five meters of free space was found to be adequate for reliable communication.

0149A similar experiment was carried out for an antenna in the UHF band, specifically at 2.45 GHz. In this experiment, the link budget assumed a transmission of 21 dBm from a base station <b>14</b>. A matching circuit loss of −1 dB and antenna gain of 0 dB were assumed at the base station <b>14</b>. Over a five meter free space propagation distance, a loss of −54 dB was assumed, with an additional −2.5 dB loss due to multipath interference. A 0 dB loss was assumed for a matching circuit at the transceiver <b>22</b>.

0150An antenna as described herein was implanted beneath a half inch layer of fat in pig meat. An on-axis antenna gain was then determined in an anechoic chamber by sweeping across a frequency band extending between 2.25 GHz and 2.60 GHz using a first antenna under approximately one inch of fat, and using the first antenna and a second antenna under approximately half an inch of fat. The resulting on-axis gains as a function of frequency are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>. As is apparent from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>, the on-axis antenna gain at 2.45 GHz was between approximately −16 dB and −18 dB. When these values of receiving antenna gain were assumed in the link budget, the resulting power available at the transceiver <b>22</b> following a 21 dBm transmission from a base station <b>14</b> in a direction forty degrees off-axis across five meters of free space was found to be sufficient to reliably detect a wake-up signal at the transceiver <b>22</b>.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

0000<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0151"><b>10</b> medical implant</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0152"><b>12</b> patient</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0153"><b>14</b> base station</li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0154"><b>15</b> housing of implant</li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0155"><b>16</b> major axis of implant</li><li id="ul0002-0006" num="0156"><b>18</b> locking ring on housing</li><li id="ul0002-0007" num="0157"><b>20</b> RF-transparent cover</li><li id="ul0002-0008" num="0158"><b>22</b> transceiver</li><li id="ul0002-0009" num="0159"><b>24</b> MICS circuitry</li><li id="ul0002-0010" num="0160"><b>26</b> wake-up circuitry</li><li id="ul0002-0011" num="0161"><b>27</b> matching circuit</li><li id="ul0002-0012" num="0162"><b>28</b> antenna</li><li id="ul0002-0013" num="0163"><b>29</b>A, <b>29</b>B matching circuits (internal to transceiver)</li><li id="ul0002-0014" num="0164"><b>30</b> controller</li><li id="ul0002-0015" num="0165"><b>32</b> implant circuitry</li><li id="ul0002-0016" num="0166"><b>33</b> implant device</li><li id="ul0002-0017" num="0167"><b>50</b> medical implant</li><li id="ul0002-0018" num="0168"><b>52</b> ventral surface of patient</li><li id="ul0002-0019" num="0169"><b>54</b> wave traveling ventrally</li><li id="ul0002-0020" num="0170"><b>56</b> wave traveling dorsally</li><li id="ul0002-0021" num="0171"><b>58</b> main lobe of antenna</li><li id="ul0002-0022" num="0172"><b>60</b> side lobe of antenna</li><li id="ul0002-0023" num="0173"><b>62</b> dermal layer</li><li id="ul0002-0024" num="0174"><b>64</b> interior of patient</li><li id="ul0002-0025" num="0175"><b>66</b> bottom ground plane</li><li id="ul0002-0026" num="0176"><b>68</b> top ground plane</li><li id="ul0002-0027" num="0177"><b>70</b> connector between top and bottom ground planes</li><li id="ul0002-0028" num="0178"><b>72</b> radiating archipelago</li><li id="ul0002-0029" num="0179"><b>74</b> feed structure</li><li id="ul0002-0030" num="0180"><b>76</b>, <b>78</b>, <b>80</b> dielectric layers</li><li id="ul0002-0031" num="0181"><b>77</b>, <b>79</b> dielectric covers</li><li id="ul0002-0032" num="0182"><b>82</b>, <b>84</b> MICS radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0033" num="0183"><b>86</b>, <b>96</b> radiative portions of MICS radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0034" num="0184"><b>88</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>98</b>, <b>100</b> reactive portion of MICS radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0035" num="0185"><b>92</b>, <b>94</b>, <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> radiative strips of MICS radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0036" num="0186"><b>106</b> base portion of top ground plane</li><li id="ul0002-0037" num="0187"><b>108</b> end portion of top ground plane</li><li id="ul0002-0038" num="0188"><b>110</b> neck of top ground plane</li><li id="ul0002-0039" num="0189"><b>112</b> first capacitor</li><li id="ul0002-0040" num="0190"><b>114</b> second capacitor</li><li id="ul0002-0041" num="0191"><b>116</b> feed point</li><li id="ul0002-0042" num="0192"><b>118</b>, <b>120</b> meanderline structures</li><li id="ul0002-0043" num="0193"><b>122</b>, <b>124</b> radiative strips of meanderline antenna</li><li id="ul0002-0044" num="0194"><b>126</b>, <b>128</b> UHF radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0045" num="0195"><b>127</b> planar capacitor</li><li id="ul0002-0046" num="0196"><b>129</b>, <b>131</b> conductive traces of planar capacitor</li><li id="ul0002-0047" num="0197"><b>130</b>, <b>132</b>, <b>134</b>, <b>136</b> reactive portions of UHF radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0048" num="0198"><b>138</b>, <b>140</b> radiative portions of UHF radiators</li><li id="ul0002-0049" num="0199"><b>141</b> proximal section of axial transmission line</li><li id="ul0002-0050" num="0200"><b>142</b> central neck portion of top shield</li><li id="ul0002-0051" num="0201"><b>143</b> axial transmission line</li><li id="ul0002-0052" num="0202"><b>144</b>, <b>146</b> peripheral neck portions of top shield</li><li id="ul0002-0053" num="0203"><b>145</b> distal load</li><li id="ul0002-0054" num="0204"><b>147</b>, <b>149</b> distal load transmission line stubs</li><li id="ul0002-0055" num="0205"><b>148</b> distal section of axial transmission line</li><li id="ul0002-0056" num="0206"><b>150</b> intermediate load</li><li id="ul0002-0057" num="0207"><b>152</b>, <b>154</b> intermediate load transmission line stubs</li><li id="ul0002-0058" num="0208"><b>156</b> coaxial cable</li><li id="ul0002-0059" num="0209"><b>158</b> LC circuit</li><li id="ul0002-0060" num="0210"><b>160</b> feed through</li><li id="ul0002-0061" num="0211"><b>162</b> frame of feed through</li><li id="ul0002-0062" num="0212"><b>164</b> outer rim of frame</li><li id="ul0002-0063" num="0213"><b>166</b> inner rim of frame</li><li id="ul0002-0064" num="0214"><b>168</b> dielectric plug</li><li id="ul0002-0065" num="0215"><b>170</b> first conductor</li><li id="ul0002-0066" num="0216"><b>172</b> second conductor</li><li id="ul0002-0067" num="0217"><b>200</b> axial transmission line</li><li id="ul0002-0068" num="0218"><b>202</b> distal load</li><li id="ul0002-0069" num="0219"><b>204</b>, <b>206</b> transmission line stubs</li><li id="ul0002-0070" num="0220"><b>208</b> transmission lines</li><li id="ul0002-0071" num="0221"><b>210</b> intermediate load</li><li id="ul0002-0072" num="0222"><b>215</b> axial transmission line</li><li id="ul0002-0073" num="0223"><b>218</b> distal load</li><li id="ul0002-0074" num="0224"><b>220</b> intermediate load</li><li id="ul0002-0075" num="0225"><b>222</b> transmission</li><li id="ul0002-0076" num="0226"><b>224</b> stop-band filter</li><li id="ul0002-0077" num="0227"><b>226</b> high-pass filter</li><li id="ul0002-0078" num="0228"><b>228</b> pi-matching network</li></ul></li></ul>

0229Having described the invention and a preferred embodiment thereof, what we claim as new, and secured by Letters Patent is: